Three weeks ago our new baby ducks arrived on the farm. They really are so adorable. When we first got them they were so small that it was easy to hold them. The kids really enjoyed it. But now they are getting a lot bigger (in just 3 weeks – it’s amazing how quickly animals grow!) and we don’t hold them as often. But Keith feeds and waters them twice a day and the kids like to get in the pen and play with them.

Awww... cute little duckies... he lets me pet him!

We also got to witness two baby goats being born. It was an amazing event, one I am glad the kids got to experience – but the camera batteries were dead. 😦

Irresistable!

"That'll be .25 sir. :)"

Two weeks ago was World Hunger Relief’s bi-annual event called “Farm Day”. We had over 1100 people come by the farm that Saturday and see what WHRI is all about. We had the bunnies out for children to enjoy, there were milking demonstrations with the opportunity to give it a try yourself, and there were hayride style farm tours. There were lots of vendors and activities, including pony rides, live music, a great mexican lunch, and camel petting. Jeremiah and Ben (Nathan and Amey’s oldest son) teamed up to run what was the best popsicle stand ever. They sold hundreds of popsicles, learned the rewards of hard work and dedication, and ended up with some loot. We were very proud of both of them. Jeremiah also learned some business skills that day. Rather than “I’m ready for my money”, he learned the more professional phrase, “That’ll be .25 sir.” 🙂 It was hoot, for sure.

"I'm ready for my money."

I think that the life we are living right now on the farm is the perfect life for kids. Jeremiah and Judah are so happy. Jeremiah is free to roam all over the farm on his bicycle. They both get to gather chicken eggs almost every day. They get to bottle feed baby goats and play with baby ducklings. Jeremiah plays army guys in the gravel and cowboys and indians in the dirt. They play with their friends at least every other day, and get to spend time with Dad doing farm things. This journey has been amazing for all of us, especially our kids.

Jeremiah front and center for the milking demonstration.

Last week I happened to be up at the dairy when the goats and cows all got out of their pens. There were lots of people there trying to get them back into the pens. I had Judah in one hand, and dragging a goat with the other hand. She and I both loved it. 🙂 In the end, all the goats got back to their proper pens, but the cows had their own way and got moved to another area where they had roamed. Cows are a bit more fussy than goats.

Keith doing the milking demonstration (not praying for the goat).

Keith has not only gotten to do the fun parts of animal care such as witnessing the births, bottle feeding baby goats, and milking goats, but he has also gotten to take part in the rest of the cycle of raising animals – castrating as well as slaughtering and butchering. He said that cleaning and butchering deer from hunting with his family growing up helped prepare him for it, and it wasn’t as hard as it might have been. We’ll see if that’s the case when it comes time to slaughter our favorite baby goat,

He enjoys his goats. Really, he does!

Charlie. 😦

My Farm Girl Apron

I have continued on with my cooking and sewing endeavors, as well as helping Keith and taking care of the children. I made an apron this month, copied from one a girl on the farm was wearing. I am enjoying the whole foods style of eating that is encouraged on the farm. We are eating much less processed food and that is a good thing.

Judah loves the baby goats! They really are cute.

Living in community and in a tiny shared apartment took a bit of transition at first. But we are really happy now at the farm, and we are all enjoying the life we are living there. In fact, coming to our house in Lindale this weekend for a visit, there was a part of all of us that just wanted to stay on the farm. Leisurely lunches with friends, learning more each week, working hard on the farm and then watching the sun set as the children play together… it’s really a great life. In the evenings we stroll over to the bunny pens and let the kids feed them grass or hold them. And we take a sit together and whisper a prayer of thanks for days such as these.

"Smile, Judah!"

So we’re learning a lot here. We’re learning the details of raising animals and we’re starting to learn more about raising a garden. We’re learning what life is like as a family living this lifestyle. We’re learning how wonderful life can be. We’re learning a lot about ourselves, and what we really enjoy. We are so thankful for the opportunity to live on the farm at WHRI.